Abstract: A method of patterning self-assembled thin films, including forming a photoresist layer on a substrate and then patterning and etching the photoresist layer. In combination with the etched photoresist layer, a self-assembled layer is formed on the substrate using LbL self-assembly.

Abstract: The invention is a scaffold access system for use in a scaffold frame of horizontal and vertical scaffold members. The system includes double barrel scaffold horizontal member, a series of short scaffold boards, a series of long scaffold boards, a short vertical scaffold member, a safety gate, and a series of short horizontal members. The double barrel scaffold horizontal member has a upper tube and a lower tube joined in a vertical relationship and a third tube slidable in the lower tube. Each tube has an interior and an exterior end. The upper tube and the third tube have an attachment member positioned on its respective exterior end. The upper tube has an upstanding vertical stub, to which is attached the short vertical scaffold member. The short scaffold boards and the long scaffold boards are placed on the scaffold frame to define a scaffold deck with an access opening.

Abstract: The invention consists of non-self supporting containment bag used in conjunction with a dumpster container. The bag has a zipper or other sealable means, and a series of pick-up or attachment loops or handles may also be attached to the outer bag material. The bag may additionally have an internal lining to resist leakage of fluids or wet materials stored in the container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a silt restoration device comprising a vertical support member having an upper end and a lower end, wherein the upper end is connected to an upper horizontal support member with the longitudinal length of the vertical support member being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the upper horizontal support member. At least one tire will be positioned on the vertical support member below the upper horizontal support member in a substantially vertical position. The tire will have a tread surface and a center space, wherein the vertical support member will impale the tread surface of the tire at two opposed points substantially along a diameter of the tire and substantially at a midpoint of a width of the tread surface.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a tissue-anchoring system, including a tissue-anchoring device and tissue anchors. The tissue-anchoring device includes a housing and a tissue anchor positioned on the tissue-anchoring device that will be inserted into a tissue or secured onto a tissue. The device may optionally have a plunger assembly slidably positioned in the housing to assist advancing anchor into a tissue. The tissue anchor has a barb end and a shaft. The barb end is adapted to resist removal from a tissue after the anchor has been inserted. The tissue anchor shaft and the barb end may be hollow. The anchor shaft has an attachment member distal from the barb end for direct attachment to a tissue or for attachment of sutures or slings. The tissue anchors may include an adjustment mechanism for intra- or post-operative adjustments.

Abstract: An improved die insert for gripping oil field tubular members in tubular handling systems such as power tongs, slips, safety clamps and the like. The die insert has a gripping surface which comprises a backing surface adapted to contact the tubular member. The backing surface may be smooth or it may have a series of teeth formed thereon. The backing surface further has a granulated particle coating applied thereto which forms the gripping surface of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the gripping surface will include a refractory metal carbide selected from the group consisting of the carbides of silicon, tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, tantalum, niobium, vanadium, titanium, zirconium, and boron.

Abstract: A method for constructing a power tong jaw, including the steps of: (1) providing a substantially flat upper plate and a substantially flat lower plate; (2) providing at least two separately formed substantially elongated column members, at least one of the column members having a die insert groove formed therein; and (3) connecting the upper plate to the lower plate using the column members.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for lifting, separating and transporting a top panel from a stack of panels through the application sequential suction forces. The apparatus and method uses a vacuum conveying system wherein a sequence of suction forces is exerted from one or more suction apertures. A lift bed located beneath the vacuum conveying system, supports a stack of panels, and can be vertically elevated, causing a top panel from the stack of panels to move within sufficient distance of the vacuum conveying system to allow the sequence of suction forces to lift and separate the top panel. Once the top panel is engaged with the conveyor, the conveyor transports the top panel to a designated location.

Abstract: An internal tube gripping device having first and second gripping arms including elongated sections with a central axis and gripping ends attached thereto and angled sections extending non-parallel to the central axis and including connecting ends attached thereto. Pivotally attached to the first and second gripping arms are separately formed first and second link members each having first and second ends. At least one tensioning member is connected to the second ends of the first and second link members.

Abstract: A clip for supporting the clarifier and the droplines in a wastewater treatment system is disclosed. The clip comprises a pair of parallel main plates wherein at least one main plate contains a groove. The main plates are separated by a bracing plate. The bracing plate is perpendicular to the main plates and is attached to the ends of each. Attached to the free ends of each of the main plates is a pair of mounting plates. These mounting plates are parallel to the bracing plate. In a preferred embodiment, the grooves are “V” shaped and each contains a hole. This pair of holes are vertically aligned, and each hole is sized to contain a dropline.

Abstract: A vacuum driven pill counter having a counter housing with a pill discharge aperture formed therein. vacuum disk is rotatably positioned in the housing and has a front wall including a pill aperture and an agitating finger extending outwardly from the front wall. A vacuum source is positioned in communication with the housing and is capable of drawing a vacuum through the pill aperture in the vacuum disk. A torque source is operatively connected to the vacuum disk in order to rotate the vacuum disk. A pill shelf is positioned adjacent to the front wall of the vacuum disk and a pill separator for removing pills retained on the pill apertures by the vacuum source is connected to the pill shelf. Finally, a pill sensor is positioned to detect pills which will exit the discharge aperture.

Abstract: A thermic module for a self-heating container. The container includes a bottom end with a cavity having internal walls formed therein for receiving the thermic module. The thermic module will be comprised of a first cup having plastic walls and containing a first chemical reactant. The module will also include a second cup containing a second chemical reactant and a dividing wall positioned between the first and second cups such that the first and second chemical reactants cannot mix. An end cap will be positioned below the second cup and will retain the second chemical reactant within the second cup. An actuator for puncturing the dividing wall will be positioned between the end cap and the dividing wall. Finally, the walls of the first cup are formed of a plastic of sufficient thinness and having a sufficiently low Vicat Softening Point such that the plastic walls will expand into contact with the internal walls of the container cavity upon mixing of the first and second chemical reactants.

Abstract: A thermic module for a self-heating container. The container includes a bottom end with a cavity having internal walls formed therein for receiving the thermic module. The thermic module will be comprised of a first cup having plastic walls and containing a first chemical reactant. The module will also include a second cup containing a second chemical reactant and a dividing wall positioned between the first and second cups such that the first and second chemical reactants cannot mix. An end cap will be positioned below the second cup and will retain the second chemical reactant within the second cup. An actuator for puncturing the dividing wall will be positioned between the end cap and the dividing wall. Finally, the walls of the first cup are formed of a plastic of sufficient thinness and having a sufficiently low Vicat Softening Point such that the plastic walls will expand into contact with the internal walls of the container cavity upon mixing of the first and second chemical reactants.

Abstract: A reactor chamber for placement in a wastewater treatment system, where the reactor chamber has a chamber formed from a sidewall which forms an interior of the chamber. The sidewall has a top portion and a bottom portion and fixed channel growth media positioned in the interior of the chamber. The fixed channel growth media is positioned below the top of the sidewall, so that when positioned in a treatment system, most of the growth media is located below the water level in the treatment system. The top of the sidewall near the water level (when positioned in a treatment system) is substantially impermeable to wastewater. The reactor includes an air distribution manifold system having a series of air release sites positioned below the fixed channel growth media and adapted to release air which disperses upwardly through the fixed channel growth media.

Abstract: An intermediate scaffold member join comprising a top side, a first side and a second side cooperating to form a channel therebetween. The channel is sized to accept a horizontal scaffold member. The first side has a clamp for attaching to a horizontal scaffold member, the clamp joining a horizontal scaffold member substantially perpendicular to a horizontal scaffold member positioned in the channel. Positioned on the top side is a vertical stub directed away from the channel, where the vertical stub is connectable to a vertical scaffold member.

Abstract: The device is a combination bailer/compactor that is a structure with a series of sidewalls and a floor portion, the structure having a top portion and a bottom portion. The sidewalls form an interior, where the interior is further subdivided into a bailer compartment and a compactor compartment by a common interior partition. Each interior compartment has a separate access opening and access door closing the opening. A track is located near the top portion with a compressive ram being mounted in a frame which is moveable in the track between the bailer compartment and the compactor compartment. A power source is operationally connected to the compressive ram. Both compartments are equipped with access doors.

Abstract: A garment is provided for deterring a physical assault on a wearer and creating evidence of the assault, comprising a vest having visual indicia affixed thereto, such as the word “Evidence”, displaying that the vest may be used as evidence in a criminal investigation. A dye release system containing a permanent and luminescent dye is affixed to the vest, which can be activated by the wearer prior to or during an assault. The dye is caused to be forcefully ejected from the dye release system, thereby contaminating the vest, the wearer, the assailant and the place where the assault took place. Preferably, the vest includes an electronic locating device, such as a sonic transmitter or GPS transmitter. Also, the vest preferably includes an audible alarm, a canine-detectable scent, and fingerprint susceptible surfaces thereon.

Abstract: A baseball swing training apparatus includes a ground frame section with a forward motion restraint attached to the ground frame section. The forward motion restraint will be adjustable such that the forward motion restraint is positionable at various levels on the body of a user. The training apparatus will further include a ball launcher, a foot plate and a trigger attached to the foot plate for activating the ball launcher.

Abstract: An air bladder suspension system for a three-wheeled motorcycle is disclosed herein. The air bladders may be used alone or in combination with an existing suspension system and are positioned between the rear axle housing and rear frame of the three-wheeled motorcycle.